MIRAMSHAH, Dec 12: Four soldiers were killed and 10 others injured in a bomb blast in Spinwam area of North Waziristan on Thursday.

Officials said that an improvised explosive device placed along a road went off when a military convoy was passing through the area. The convoy was going from Spinwam to Dandi Kach Camp.

Two soldiers died on the spot and two others succumbed to injuries at the Combined Military Hospital in Thall Garrison. One of the injured was said to be in critical condition.

After the blast security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. However, no arrest was reported.

AFP adds: Ansarul Mujahideen, a little known militant group linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

“It is in retaliation to the drone strike in Hangu,” Abu Baseer, a purported spokesman for the group told AFP by telephone, threatening more attacks.